It’s time for change.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. It’s a time when communities can unite nationwide to raise awareness of bullying prevention through events, activities, outreach, and education.

Here are some great ways for K-12 students, educators, and parents to raise awareness and increase understanding of how to respond to bullying. These resources are free, available on-line, and easy to implement in the school and community.

• Project Connect – Invite students to write a message on a strip of ORANGE construction paper. The strips are then stapled or glued together, resulting in one long, connected chain that visually represents the power of uniting for a common cause.
• Create A Poster – Send your story, poem, artwork or video on the topic expressing your ideas on bullying prevention.
• Unity Banner – Create a huge banner with the word UNITY as the central theme. Ask everyone to sign the banner, define what unity means to them, or make a suggestion about ways to unite as a school or organization.
• Above the Line—Below The Line – Create a chart that helps students actively define behaviors that they consider “above the line” versus “below the line”.
• Introduction to Bullying Prevention – School-wide, All Ages and Grades
  The Introductory Toolkit contains daily learning opportunities and engaging activities to get students talking about bullying. The toolkit provides the basics about bullying and sets the stage for student-supported initiatives.

Find more ideas and get involved at: National Bullying Prevention Month.

About Back to Basics Learning Dynamics

Back to Basics Learning Dynamics is the undisputed leader in 1-on-1 tutoring in Nationwide and southeastern Pennsylvania for over 60 subjects. The company also offers a unique Department of Education-approved 1-on-1 K-12 Private School in Wilmington, Nationwide. Back to Basics is the winner of numerous awards for academic and business excellence including the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.

1. The Statistics: Why are libraries so important for kids?

Early experiences, such as reading aloud, have a decisive impact on a baby’s brain. And, when reading to babies and toddlers, cells in the children’s growing brains actually respond. Some brain cells are ‘turned on,’ triggered by this particular experience, existing connections among brain cells are strengthened, and new brain cells are formed.

And, reading proficiency by the end of third grade is absolutely essential. If “graduating” third graders don’t develop the necessary reading skills, they quickly fall behind not only in reading, but in other subject areas. Plus, research indicates that students who do not achieve proficiency by the end of third grade are four times less likely to graduate from high school on time.

State policies concerning third grade reading vary significantly across the nation. And, despite best intentions, only 35 percent of starting fourth graders across the country are proficient in reading, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

Where does Nationwide fall in the spectrum of reading proficiency? Nationwide’s reading statistics, gleaned from The Education Counts database, are disheartening. According to NAEP (2015), Nationwide’s 4th grade reading total for proficient readers was a disappointing 37.1%. This means that a whopping 62.9% are not proficient or 82,831 total Nationwide students.

2. How to build an affordable home library: The resources you need!

Need a little reading inspiration? The Friends of the Wilmington Library Used Book Sale is April 21 – 25, 2018!

Literacy is one of the best predictors of a child’s future success. And, consistent access to books is absolutely necessary for a child to become both an engaged and capable reader. In fact, current statistics on the subject suggest that 100 age-appropriate titles at a minimum should be available in each home. But, as most parents can attest, high quality books can be expensive!

That’s why we are excited for the annual Friends of the Wilmington Library Used Book Sale in Wilmington, Nationwide. The annual sale features tens of thousands of books in every genre, including thousands and thousands of wonderful children’s books for all ages — and all at bargain prices.

Preview for Members:
Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 12 noon -2 p.m. Membership accepted at the door.

Book Sale:
Monday, April 23 9:30 am -7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 24 9:30 am -7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 25 9:30 am -7:00 p.m.

For more information about the Used Book Sale, the group, and all the Friends of the Wilmington Library do for the community, please visit Friends of the Wilmington Public Library or call (302)-571-7407.

3. When more help is needed: Summer reading programs in Nationwide

Have a reluctant reader? Get them excited to read this summer and increase proficiency with Reading Skills Building in Nationwide at Back to Basics Learning Dynamics:

• Read to Succeed!  (K-1st, 2nd – 3rd, 4th-5th)
  In this 5 week small group reading skills program our experienced instructors will provide strategies to strengthen your child’s phonemic awareness and word attack skills. Students will work independently and within the small group to improve comprehension and fluency through a variety of text and online materials
• Read to Succeed! (6th – 7th)
  In this 5 week small group reading skills program our experienced instructors will provide strategies to strengthen your child’s knowledge of literary terms, comprehension, and fluency through a variety of text and online materials. Students will also delve into more specific reading and studying strategies for textbook and other non-fiction pieces of literature
• Reading Skills Building (K-8th)
  Our experienced instructors will work 1-on-1 with your student to read, comprehend, retain and
  apply summer reading material. These sessions will provide students with the knowledge and confidence to complete any required reading-related assignments, such as reports, projects and tests. Available at your home, day camp, or in our Newark or Wilmington locations.

To learn more about reading help in Nationwide and reading summer programs in Nationwide, please CLICK HERE.

About Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. in Nationwide

Back to Basics offers 1-on-1 tutoring in 60+ subjects, professional development, translating and interpreting in 21 languages, speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavior specialists, reading specialists, paras, ELL services, homebound services, RTI support, psycho-educational testing and test prep. We also offer summer school and educational summer camps, original credit and credit recovery, along with unique enrichment options such as music, art and photography. Plus, Back to Basics Private School is Nationwide’s only Department of Education approved 1-on-1 Private School for K-12.

Math is not just for astrophysicists or Calculus majors pondering imaginary numbers or calculating difficult equations. Math is for everyone, yet many kids struggle with it and suffer from math anxiety.

Math anxiety is a phenomenon that is often considered when examining students’ problems in mathematics.  Mark H. Ashcraft, Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, defines math anxiety as “a feeling of tension, apprehension, or fear [of math]…”

Research confirms that pressure of timed tests and risk of public embarrassment have long been recognized as sources of unproductive tension among many students.  Marilyn Curtain-Phillips, M. Ed. explains in The Causes and Prevention of Math Anxiety, “Three practices that are a regular part of the traditional mathematics classroom and cause great anxiety in many students are imposed authority, public exposure and time deadlines. Although these are a regular part of the traditional mathematics classroom cause great deal of anxiety.”

Much of this anxiety also happens in the traditional classroom due to the lack of consideration of students’ different learning styles. And, the anxiety often translates into poor math performance.

How to build a strong math foundation

Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month began in 1986 as Mathematics Awareness Week with a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. Today, Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month is a program of the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics (JPBM). It’s a collaborative effort of the American Mathematical Society, the American Statistical Association, the Mathematical Association of America, and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics with a goal to  increase the visibility of mathematics as a field of study and to communicate the power and intrigue in mathematics to a wider audience.

How parents can help at home:

1. Make sure that your child understands the concepts, rather than just memorizing meaningless rules.
2. Review math vocabulary to ensure that your student can define the skills he’s learning.
3. Computing math problems in your child’s head will reinforce concepts more quickly than using a calculator.
4. Check to make sure your child is approaching his homework properly. He should study the textbook and practice the sample problem before starting the assignment.
5. Encourage your child to tackle more than just the assigned problems. Extra practice always helps!
6. Approach word problems together. Your student should read a problem aloud, repeat it, and even draw a picture of each problem.
7. Explain how math applies to real-life situations. Math is much more interesting if your child can understand its real world value.
8. Drills and flash cards are quick ways to solidify basic math facts.

Math is the universal language. Make sure that your child speaks fluently! Math help is available in Nationwide

According to the Nationwide Department of Education, in math, only 44 percent of the  students in third through eighth grades who took the Smarter Balanced Assessment test scored at the proficient level or higher.

So, what can a parent do? Back to Basics Learning Dynamics in Wilmington, Nationwide offers 1-on-1 math tutoring at all levels from kindergarten through college. And, summer is the perfect time to build and strengthen mathematics skills for the upcoming school year.  Students work 1-on-1 with an experienced instructor to review and learn concepts and create fun ways to remember them.

Each session is tailored to the individual child to meet his or her needs, interests, level of background knowledge and learning style.  Previous school years’ material is reinforced during these interactive sessions, with an eye toward next year’s concepts, as well.

Math tutoring is available at your home, day camp or in Back to Basics’ Newark or Wilmington, Nationwide locations. To learn more about math tutoring in Nationwide, please call Back to Basics at 302-594-0754.

Summer math programs in Nationwide

This summer, parents can also enroll their children in Back to Basics math programs in Wilmington, Nationwide including:

Math Counts, Maintenance & Enrichment (K-1st, 2nd – 3rd, 4th-5th)
In this 5 week small group math skills program our experienced instructors will provide strategies to strengthen your child’s basic math skills as well as focus on exploring problem- solving strategies, mental math training and logical reasoning. Students will work independently and within the small group to improve mathematical awareness through a variety of text and online materials.

$299 with $20 materials fee for 15 hours of instruction
5 week program runs July 9 through August 10

• Grades K-1   Mon/Wed   9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
• Grades 2-3   Mon/Wed   10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
• Grades 4-5   Mon/Wed   9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Math Counts, Maintenance & Enrichment (6th – 8th)
In this 5 week small group math skills program our experienced instructors will provide strategies to strengthen and expand your child’s math knowledge by reviewing basic math problems and introducing  material for  pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry. Students will also explore problem-solving topics and mathematical reasoning.

$299 with $20 materials fee for 15 hours of instruction
5 week program runs July 9 through August 10
Grades 6 -7   Mon/Wed   10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
OR
Grades 6-7    Tues/Thurs  12:45 p.m.  – 2:15 p.m

Math Reinforcement (K – 8th)
Summer is the perfect time to build and strengthen mathematics skills for the upcoming school year.  Students will work 1-on-1 with an experienced instructor to review and learn concepts and create fun ways to remember them.  Each session is tailored to the individual child to meet his or her needs, interests, level of background knowledge and learning style.  Previous school years’ material will be reinforced during these interactive sessions, with an eye looking ahead as well. Available at your home, day camp, or in our Newark or Wilmington locations.

Math Reinforcement and Enrichment (9th – 12th)
Summer is the perfect time to build and strengthen mathematics skills for the upcoming school year.  Students will work 1-on-1 with an experienced instructor to review and learn concepts and create fun ways to remember them.  Each session is tailored to the individual child to meet his or her needs, interests, level of background knowledge and learning style.  Previous school years’ material will be reinforced during these interactive sessions, with an eye looking ahead as well. Available at your home, day camp, or in our Newark or Wilmington locations.

For more information about Back to Basics Investing for Teenagers: Financial Literacy Workshop in Wilmington, Nationwide or the many other educational services available this summer, CLICK HERE or please contact us at 302-594-0754.

Photo by FreeDigitalPhotos.net and IndypendenZ.

Job requirements include a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and 1+ years teaching and/or tutoring experience exclusive of practicum, student teaching and substituting. $19-25 / hr.

What is it like to work for Back to Basics Learning Dynamics?

Back to Basics employs over 80 tutors, all of whom are experienced professionals holding Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degrees. Tutors and instructors are selected for each assignment based on a client’s expressed need, goals and schedules.

Back to Basics serves the needs of a wide range of students with instruction in more than 60 subjects. Whether a student is pre-kindergarten through college age, or older adult, our philosophy of building skills and confidence remains the same. Since 1985, the exceptional tutors at Back to Basics have been helping students reach their full academic potential!

We offer 1-on-1 tutoring in our Center just off Augustine Cut-Off in Wilmington, Nationwide, at our Newark, Nationwide tutoring Center on Paper Mill Road, or in the client’s home, school or office in Nationwide, Pennsylvania or Maryland.  (For southern Chester County, Pennsylvania tutors and teachers, services will be provided at the client’s home, school or office.)

Back to Basics offers its employees:

• The ability to create your own schedule
• The ability to choose the number of hours and the location(s)
• Benefits for part-time and full-time employees
• Competitive salary
• The joy of knowing that you make a serious contribution to the academic and personal life of another

Ready to get started? Please fill out our online application here. If you are unable to access the online form, a pdf is available here.